3.0charlie : I'm glad yer patient . the kill the 680i project is on the shelf fer a bit....as you can see I have a better project goin.soon tho.....sooon....

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I got the backplate back from the welders'.

after grinder,file and sander ;

Virgin backplate baby !!! ready for new work.

Here's a shot of some staging work......got the top case rail in place....new backplate on.,.....That the striker in there (just for fitting purposes....)

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I heard back from the hose guy today...if I wanna use actual rubber hose for the coolant line it'll cost me $700......so thats out haha...So I guess it'll be copper vacuum jacket lines after all......I can do those for less im sure.

Let me assure you however , I do actually know what I'm doing.Safety is my #1 concern , believe me.The entire machine is going to be surrounded by nonflammable gas , and I'll be building active solvent recovery systems.Even the blanket gases are going to be properly ventilated.

Almost sounds like you are building a booster rocket for the Space Shuttles

Definitely one of the more ambitious projects that I have heard of recently, best of luck.